Overcoming Grief with Hope: A Journey of God's Enduring Protection

The temperature had fallen beneath freezing in the mountains east of San Diego. The seat and car heaters could barely ward off the chill seeping deep into our bones … and our hearts. My friend and I sat in the front seat of my car, eyes on the search and rescue mobile headquarters, waiting for any news of her husband. 

“One more vista and then I will be home,” he had texted their daughter hours before. The family had all gathered for the holidays, and it was wild around their house. Ron decided he needed some quiet time with the Lord and drove into the mountains for a hike with his precious Jesus. 

The sun had begun to set, and no one could reach Ron by phone, which he left in his car to have that blessed quiet time. As it grew later and colder, the family became concerned. They called the sheriff, who offered little hope that they would be able to send out a search and rescue crew.  So, my friend, her daughter and son-in-law went looking for Ron. They found his car along an outcropping of a mountain pass, but he was nowhere in sight. Shortly after they arrived, the sheriff met them and called in the search and rescue team. 

As we huddled in the car drinking lukewarm tea, we prayed and read Psalm 91. 

My heart stilled as the strobe light went off, signaling the rescue team of news. Others joined us in the car and prayer – and in silence as we waited. Hours had passed when the lead deputy finally approached the car. Quietly, he explained that they found Ron. He had fallen into a steep, rocky canyon. The rescuer would stay with him until the medical examiner was able to hike down in the morning and retrieve Ron’s earthly remains. 

We had known in our hearts that Ron had already been greeted by his Heavenly Father who welcomed him with open arms and a “Well done my good and faithful servant.” But what about those verses we were reading? How could God say, “I will protect you” and let Ron fall into a ravine and die? 

Since that day over six years ago, I have pondered this scripture and my questions. It was not until this week, reading Psalm 91 again, that the Lord began to shine a light on the answers I needed to see. 

With stunned awe, I realized, I was viewing this scripture with a finite, earthly perspective, not an eternal one. Protection does not mean we will never suffer. Obviously, it does not mean we will never die.  

If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home.

The enemy fought like crazy to discourage Ron in every way possible. You see he was not willing that any should perish. He wanted everyone to know and love Jesus the way he did, so they would not suffer an eternity in darkness, separated from God. And that made Satan mad. 

Ron made God his shelter and hiding place years before. The Sunday before his death, he preached a message, passionately sharing his Love for our Savior. I felt the impact and power of his closing statement, not realizing these would be the last words most of us ever heard from his lips this side of Heaven…”Jesus is precious, Jesus is precious, Jesus is precious.”

Evil did not conquer him. Heaven became his eternal sanctuary.  

For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone. The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name.

“But God, Ron was hurt by a stone,” I thought in my inner discourse about this scripture. “I will never leave you or forsake you,” was God’s answer. He was with Ron. He sent angels to comfort him, but the protection was not as we would see it as humans. The battle was fought for Ron’s soul, and God won. God protected Ron from the evil one. 

When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.  I will rescue and honor them.

Only God knows the last earthly conversation Ron had with God, but I am confident he called on God, and God was with him in his trouble. His rescuing was not what we hoped for. It was not what anyone could have ever imagined. The earthly grief experienced was deep. But I have seen God’s hand of protection and blessing on my dear Ginny who loves Jesus as deeply as her precious husband does. 

At the memorial service, Ron and Ginny’s son-in-law prayed that we would ‘grieve well.’ Again, I questioned, how does one grieve well, and our faithful Father answered, “You do not grieve as one who has no hope.” (I Thessalonians 4:13) 

Ron was protected. He had one more view of this world, then the Lord lifted him right out of this miry pit we call earth and set his feet on the eternal Solid Rock. He will never again trip on a stone, stub his toe, or feel the grief of a dark and unsaved world. He is dwelling in the shelter of the Most High, where, one day, we will be reunited with our brother and friend.

We live in a fallen world, and it will have trouble. But take heart, He has overcome (John 16:33). Protection might not come in the way we want or even think we need, but He is an ever-present help in the time of trouble (Psalm 46:1), and He promises to never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5).

Questions for Reflection: 

1. Have you ever been in a situation where you clearly saw God’s protection? 

2. Have you been in a situation like mine and questioned why God did not provide protection in the way you thought He should? 

3. Ask God to show you how he loves and protects you. 

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to find your dwelling place in the shelter of the Most High, make Him your savior today. 

If you are not sure how to talk to God or prayer seems overwhelming to you, I have written a devotional "Restore Your Soul With Seven Days of Prayer," available on Amazon, that can encourage you in this area.